Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-05
THE REGATTA.
SUPERB ROWING OF THE OLD DoMINIoNs.
THE FRENCH CUP WON.
BLACKWELL. LAMBERT, BURKE AND NOR
TON, THE CREW, WITH SMITH,
COXSWAIN

ION, IdE CHEW, Will OnllIdi
COXSWAIN.
The Fourth was glorious day, the heat
being tempered by q delightful breeze from
the South, and from noon till dark the
wharves and all available points along the
river front ard the water opposite were
crowded with people and boats of all de-
scriptions, making scene the like Of which
has not been witnessed hereabouts for many
day. The occasion of the gathering was
the regatta of the Virginia Association of
Amateur Oarsmen, under the auspices OF
the Old Dominion Boat Club of this city.
The rowing of several OF the crews was
good, but that of the Old Dominion was es.
pecially fine, both as to form and style, and
the citizens feel proud of their boys" VINO
pulled so splendidly.
A stiff breeze blowing up the stream
roughened the water, but the oarsmen were
plucky, and the races started about 800
O'Clock with the junior four cared shells, for
which event the Potomacs and Columbus oil
Washington were entered.
Immediately after the word was given
the Potomacs caught the water and with
sweeping stroke took the lead. AT the hrst
quarter they led by about half length
which they held until the three.quarter mile,
when the Columbus spurted, and by bad
steering ran their boat into the stern of the
Potomacs. foul was claimed and allowed.
Both crews kept on rowing, and pulled
pretty race, the Columbus leading at the
finish by length and half, although the
Potomacs were declared winners. lime,
1920.
In the junior singles Worden, of the Poto-
macs, and Brewster, of the Columbla5, were
entered. Brewster took the lead and draw
ing away won by five lengths. Time, 17:15.
Tue exciting and interesting event of the
day was the State gigs race. In this race
were entered the Virginias, of Richmond,
versity crew, of Petersburg. and the Old
Dominions of this city. The Richmond
crew were prime favorites before the race.
The crews were made up as follows: Old
Dominion Blackwell, stroke; Norton, bow;
Burke, 2; Lambert, 8; Smith, coxswain.
Petersburg-Curry, stroke Round, 5 Pet
tit, 2; Potts, bow, ; McCabe, co1swaip.
ond-Peyton, stroke; Petticoas, 8
Prendergast, 9; Rice, bow Tinsley, cox
swain. The Old Dominion started
OuG Will StlOhO va lOiCJ-V"O W VIZ
minute, followed by the Petersburg and
the Richmonds. The strong, even work
of the Old Dominion crew told from
the start. Every man was rowing in splen-
did form. The oars dipped in the water to-
gether, pulled with equal force, rose in uni
son, and sent the boat jumping through the
water. 1t was an exhibition of rowing
which excited universal admiration and sent
q Iii far ha lad Eanr
lengths behind them were the Petersburg
and Richmond crews pulling well up to-
gether. The Richmond crew did not show
any unison or strength. 1t was every man
for himself, and, in consequence, the crew
soon fell to the rear, and was passed by the
Petersburg crew. who were pulling a steady
and strong oar, but were unable to keep up
with the Old Dominions. When half the
course had been rowed over the Richmond
crew gave up the race and pulled to the
boat house. The Alexandria crew contin
ned their splendid work to the finish, cheer
ed by the enthusiastic yells of their friends
on the wharves and the deafening shrieks OF
steam whistles of the craft on the river.
Having the race we'll in hand the Alexan-
drias dropped their stroke, and shot across
the line an easy winner by ten lengths.
They covered the course in 9:14, the best
time made on the river during the day. A
considerable amount OF money changed
hands on the race, and although the Old
Domnions sold favorite, the Richmond boys
backed their crew to the extent OF their
pockets, and went home sadder but wiser.
Had the Richmond crew won they would
have been entitled to permanently hold tho
prize they had previously twice won-a gold
cup valued at $500.
In the senior singles Fisher, of the Poto-
macs, was the only entry. The Rap.
hannocks, of fredericksburg, sent in
an entry in Jack Littrell. but he
was ruled out, committee deciding him a
professional.
Next came tho four.oared gigs, open
to all. The Petersburg and Rich
mond crews, which had been entered,
withdrew, leaving the Old Domn.
ions, of Alexandria, and the Columbus. of
Washington, the only contestants. This
was the surprise OF The day, the Old Domin-
ions easily defeating the crack Columbia
four. The Alexandria crew jumped away
at tho start, pulling forty stroke clean
through the race, while the Columbus tried
hard to keep up with thirty. eight strokes to
the minute. The Old Dominions gained at
every quarter mile, and won easily by over
five lengths. Time, 1922.
In the senior four. shells the Poto.
macs and Columbus were again contest
ants. The Potomacs finished away ahead, the
Columbus drawing into the boat house and
failing to cross the finish line. The Poto-
macs time was 9.27.
Hazard, of the Rappahannocks, had q
walkover for the State singles.
The last race Of the day was in the eight
cared shells. the only entries being the Po-
tomacs and Columbus. It was so dark when
the race was called that it was almost i'm
possible to follow it. The Potomacs, how
ever, soon jumped to the lead, and, though
closely pressed By the Columbus throughout
the entire race, they were never caught.
The Potomacs passed the finish about a
length ahead of the Columbus in ten min.
utes.
The Potomacs captured the four-oared
Junior, four-oared senior, senior single, and
eightoared races, in all of which events,
save the singles, their competitors were the